ECO-FRIENDLY council leaders chose World Environment Day to sign up to charters aimed at cutting global warming.

Climate change is now scientifically accepted as a consequence of the impact humanity is having on the Earth's atmosphere. People's use of coal, oil and gas has increased atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases to the point that global temperatures have risen by 0.6ºC in the last century, resulting in significant changes to the climate.

The leader of Vale Royal Borough Council, Keith Musgrave, and chief executive Anne Bingham-Holmes signed up to the Nottingham Declaration on Climate Change and the North West Climate Change Charter which calls on authorities to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

It also requires councils to promote awareness of climate change and encourage residents, businesses and organisations to seek ways to reduce their carbon footprints.

Cllr Musgrave said: 'The issue of climate change has become the most important environmental concern of our time. By signing these, the council is committed to supporting global efforts to address climate change through local initiatives.

'We will meet our commitments through the delivery of the Vale Royal Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan to be launched in December.'